Outspoken Labour MP Ronnie Campbell has called for the voting age to be reduced to 16 and revealed he started campaigning politically aged just 10.

The former miner went around Blyth Valley, now his constituency, as a boy carrying a banner urging people to vote for Labour's Alf Robens.

The young Ronnie was supportive of the campaign but then his interest in Parliament and politics waned until he was 20.

But he believes that lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 would increase interest in politically active teenagers and lead to a long term rise in the turn-out at elections.

He has also backed lowering the age for candidates to the House of Commons and local councils to 18. But said lowering the minimum age to 16 would be step too far.

On Monday, the Electoral Commission will publish its report on the minimum age for voting and standing for elected office. Conservatives back lowering the minimum age for candidates to 18 but oppose reducing the voting age.

But Mr Campbell said: "I am all in favour of lowering the voting age to 16. Many young people are interested in politics at this age and want to vote.

"By the time they get to 18, having been unable to influence politics, they become interested in other things like beer, wine, women and song. We want to catch them while they are interested.

"At 16 you are old enough to have sex, get married with permission, and fight for your country and die so you should be allowed to vote.

"I first was interested in politics at the age of 10 when I went around Blyth Valley, which I now represent, in the election with a big placard saying vote for Alf Robens, later chairman of the National Coal Board.

"He was the Labour candidate but I later lost interest in politics until I was 20.

"I also support lowering the age for candidates for elections to 18. People are adults at 18 and should be allowed to become councillors or MPs. But I wouldn't support lowering it to 16, as there is a difference between voting and being elected to represent people."

Mr Hendry, who is the Tory Shadow Minister for young people, said: "Lowering the voting age will do nothing to address the underlying causes of apathy and voter disillusionment among young people - it would just perversely serve to lower the average level of turn out.

"Conservatives believe that the voting age and candidacy age should be standardised at 18. Such an age is widely accepted as signifying a major turning point in ones' personal development, marking the time when a young person becomes an adult.

"Opening the door to younger elected representatives - such as 18-year-old councillors - will do far more to re-engage young people in politics and create a new tier of representatives who can champion the issues that young people are concerned with."

Page 2: What the law says

What the law says

1832: Reform Act, abolishing the rotten boroughs and expanding the franchise. About 5% of the population, mainly landowners can vote

1867: Second Reform Act gives vote to significant number of men

1872: Secret ballot

1883: Corrupt Practises Act imposes rules on constituency expenses

1884: Third Reform Act, giving the majority of working men the vote

1914: Citizens of empire and dominions formally given voting rights when resident in the UK

1918: Women over 30 attain the vote

1926: Abolition of the requirement that some ministers must fight a by-election on being appointed to that office

1928: Women attain the vote on equal terms

1944: Creation of Boundary Commission

1948: Abolition of second votes for business owners.

1969: Reduction of voting age to 18.

1972: Abolition of indirectly-elected aldermen on local authorities

1985: Overseas electors allowed to vote for five years after departure (later amended to 20, and then 15, years)

Those restricted from voting include prisoners, anyone sectioned under the Mental Health Act and senior members of the Royal family.